Cigarette-machine.



PATBNTED AUG. la, 1907.

IS. LPRESOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 12.1 1904.

1l SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VEA/TUR MPM/M 7 EQMQZW/QMW No. 863,217 PATENTEDAUG. 1 3, 1907.

S. I. PRESGOTT.

CIGARETTE MACHINE'.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, ISOA.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 3. o

Zw# y W A [M25/v70@v f l l1 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PA'TBNTED AUG. 13, 1907.

S. I. PRESCOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED Nov.12. 1904.

Arm?? PATE NTED AUG. 13 `1907'.

S. 1. PRESCOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 12. 1904.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

PATENTED AUG. 13', 1907.

SL I. PRESGOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 12, 1904.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 6 PATENTED AUG. I3, 1907.

11 sHEBTssHBET 7.

S. I. PRESGOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE. `5^.PPL10A'1210N FILED Nov.12, 1904.

- EATENTED AUG.13,'19 07.

' No. 863,217.v

s. L EEESCOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE. 'APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1904.

l1 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

f VNTg/Q AWE@ .0. E.. f. ,fwn ME QIIII @MANY Wm. S.

PATENTED AUG. 18', 1907.

I s. I. PRBSGOTTQ.

GIGARETTB- MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1904.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 94 No. 863,217. PATBNTED AUG.13,1907.

- s. 1. PRBsooTT.

VCIGARETTE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12I 1904.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

j Mlm PUBMED-AUG. 1s, 1907.

s. I. PRBSGOTT. CIGARETTE MACHINE..

APPLIUATION FILED NOV.12, 1904.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 1i Wff/f/ UNITED STATES' PATENT- Ormea sii/.nner 1. PREsCOT'r, Or NEW YORK, n. Y., AssrGNOR 'ro THEl AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY, Ol1 NEW YORK, N.

YL, A OOARPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

' C IQARETTELMACHINE.

i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented` Aug. 13, 1907,.

Application tied Novemberiz, 1904:. serai noi 232,480.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be il. known that I., SYnNir- L PRnSCoTCi, a citizen` of the Uni-ted States, residing at'NeW York,` county of New York, and Siate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Oiga-rette- Machines, fully described and represented in the fol' lowing specilication and the accompanying drawings,

forming :i part of the same.; This invention relates to certain improvements in cigarette nmvhines, and more particularly to that` class of machin. sin which a charge of'tobacco of the proper shape is inn'oducediinto a formed tube oi' casing.

In these machines, as heretofore `consti-u cted, it has been customary to introduce, the lhargeiof tobacco into a. Shaper or mold which acted to ,compress it into a short rod or liller, aftcr'which an ejector mechanism, such, for instance, as a plunger, was forced into the Shaper case `or mold and pushed the rodoftobaccoout intoa previously formed tube which `was brought into proper relation with the. discharge Opening of the- "'shaper'case.' In some'of theseconstructions, charges are pulled off or Otherwise separated from a mass'of Y tobacco, these charges being fed directly into the Shaper case. In other constructions, the mass Otto'- bacco was subjected tothe action of a separating or.

picker mechanism which .disintegrated the fibers Ot" the mass, the fibers being showered onto a belt and then againcompacted into a sheet or mass. In constructions of thef forni first 1' e,fe1ied'to, the tobacco is fed into the shaper case in a more or less' matted condition, so that the fibers have little resiliency, and the little` resiliency remaining therein is practically destroyed by the action of the shaper. In'some of these constructions, it has been customary, afterthe shaper v'351 has acted, to Withdraw it slightly, thus releasingthe compression on the charge before itis introduced into the formed tube or Wrapper. In the second class4 ofA constructions referred to, that is, the constructions in which the tobacco is separated by picker'mechanism, the tobacco is re-shaped after being-separated into a sheet or mass, from which charges are cut and introducedv into the Shaper. This re-shaping Operation destroysz the resiliency of the tobacco fiber to a considerable ext-ent, and in these constructions it has been customary to retain the shaping pressure on, the charge in the shaper until it was ejectedby the eject-ing l plunger. The filler produced, therefore, by both these constructions has had the natural resiliency of the therefore, sensitive to changes' in atmospheric con' tobacco fiber practically destroyed, so thatV when itis.-v

introduced int the Iformed tube or Wrapper, the 'cibi rette is too hard and does not have the free draft which is desirable. Furthermore, as is Well-knoWn-tobacco fiber is exceedingly hygroscopic andthe tobacco is,

ditions. When the machines referred to are operatedduced. Furtherinore', in the operation Of these ma-vv chilies, it frequentlyhappens that the shaping devices gum up, the condition of the tobacco being such that the pressure thereon of the shaping'devices causes the juices to exude therefrom.

In automatic machines of this' type when the tobacco is shredded or separated by mechanism from which the ib er drops Ontoa conveyer,4 the specific type of conveyer variesWit-h the particular construction of the machine. The effect of thus showering the tobacco on a conveyer is to canse the tine tobacco, known as shortsf t0 drop through theinterstices of t-he longerV fibers toa considerable extent as these fibers lie on the belt, so that a sheet o tobacco is formed with the long fibers lying on' one side andthe shorts\ lying principally on the other side, although the .shorts will, to some degree, be intcrmingled with the long fibers. In the machines-referred to, the sheets of tobacco thus -formed are converted into cigarette filler 'without substantially changing the relation of thetobacco fiber, the result of Vthis being that, in many instances, cigarettes are formed having long liber-sof tobacco on one side and short fibers on the other, which cigarettes have an uneven draft and therefore burn une venly. A' Further-i more, in machines for making cigarettes by introducing a formed liller into tubes in which a tube or wrapper making apparatus. is used in connection with the filler forming and introducing apparatus, a single Wrapper vmaking mechanism is employed which supplies the 'wrappers as they areneeded directly to the filler formA ving' and introducing mechanism. The tube forming apparatus necessarilyoperates onvery thin paper and the fragile Wrappers .produced need to be-handledwith great care. The result of this is that the tube forming mechanism'cannot be run at very higli rates of speed and the production of theentire machine is, therefore, limitedby the speed'ot'- the tube making apparatus. Furthermore, a11y (let`ect in the operation of eitherapparatus lnecessarily results in stopping the loperation of the entire machine.

Itis one of the objects of this invention to 4produce an improved cigarettel machine in which formed fillers are introduced into tubes, in which the filler forming aparatns is of such a character that undue com ression of. P P

the filler is avoided.

urther object of the invention is to produce an improved cigarette machine of the type referred to 1n which the formed fillers shall have the long and short fibers so related to each other as to make a cigarette having a free and even draft.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved cigarette machine of the type referred to in which the fillers are formed and the tubes for the. fillers are alsoformed, which is capable of running` at high speeds.

A further object of the invention is to improve the details of construction of machines of the character referred to, whereby the machine is simplified and cheapened in its construction and rendered capable of being operatedby unskilled labor.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in View, the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described and specifically pointed out.

ln the drawings-Figure 1 is a front elevation of an organiz/.ed machine' embodying the inventimi. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. Al is a detail plan view illustrating the construction and arrangement of the driving mechanism employed. Fig'. 5 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale, illustrating the construction ol the feeding and separating mechanisms employed. Fig. (i is a sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of thel construction shown in Fig. 5,`the bed 0f the machine and the hood covering the separating rollers being shown in section. Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly in section, of the filler forming and tube transferring mechanism. cert ain parts'being shown in section. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the construction Shown in Fig. S. Fig. l0 isa section on the line lO--lO of Fig. 8. Fig. ll is a section on the line 1l-1.l of Fig. 8. Fig. l2 is an end View of the construction shown in Fig.,S. Fig. 13 is a plan view, and Fig. llt isa side elevation of the tube making mechanism employed, eertain parts of the construction shown in Fig. 13 being omitted in Fig. 111. Fig. 15 is :t plan view of the means employed for forming the strip into tubular form and the seaming devices. Fig. lt isa vertical section of the construction shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig. lt. Fig. 18 isa detail section on the line 11S- 18 of Fig. 16. certain parts being omitted'. Fig. lt) is an end view looking in the direction opposite to that. in which Fig. 17 is taken, thel forming mandrel being shown in see ion. Figs. 20. 2l, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operations performed in forming the tube and seaming the same.

Referring to the drawings wh iehillustrate one embodiment of the invention, the parts of the machine are mounted in a frame of a usual type, the frame consisting of a bed plate 1 mounted on legs or standards 2. The machine which has been selected to illustrate the in- ',vention is an automatic machine provided with means for automatically feeding the tobacco, means for automatically forming the filler, means for automatically Y forming the tubes and inserting mouth-pieces therein. and means for automatically assembling the fillers and the formed tubes.

When the invention is embodied in a machine which employs'automatic feeding devices, these feeding devices may be widely varied in their construction. As shown, the bed plate l. supports side platesor standards 3, one being located on eachside of the mat-aine. These side standards serve. to support shafts 5 and (S. the shaft 5 being mounted in adjustable bearings. On the shafts 5 and 6 are mounted rolls 7 and S, these rolls serving tio support a traveling beltl) on which the tobacco is evenly spread by feeder. The upper run of the belt 9 (see Fig. G) travels over supporting table 1t) above which is mounted a table 1.1 lia-ving side wings-12. This upper table has a rectangular opening therein through which the tobacco is spread upon the belt', a cross bar 13 being provided near the delivery end of the table under which the belt carrying its charge of tobacco passes.

The tobacco having been evenly spread upon the belt by the operator is forwarded by the belt to a separating mechanism, the details of construction of which may be widely varied. As shown, the separatingmechanism inference, this roll being mounted on a shaft lsuitably supported in the upper standards 3. This roll 14 is mounted so that the pins run in close proximity to the belt, and the tobacco advanced by the belt is forwarded by the roll along the surface of a curved guide 17 suitably supported in the frame, this construction being well-shown in Fig'. (5. As the tobacco is advanced along the curved guide ltS it is actedon by a picker roll 1 8 provided with pins 19, this picker roll being mounted on a shaft 20 suitably supported in the frame. This picker roll 18 rotates in the same direction as the roll 14, and its pins 19 meet the advancing tobacco and separate it across the edge or end of the guide 17. This roll is driven at a considerably higher speed than the loll 14, so that the fibers of the tobacco are thoroughly separated and the tobacco falls in-a shower.

lf desired, a directing roll may be employed in connection with the belt to insure the accurate forwarding of` the tobacco sheet. `Such a roll is illustrated and marked 21, the roll being mounted on a shaft 22 stipported in bearings carried on the upper standards or frame 3. This roll has a smooth surface and when used should be positioned so as to exert only a very light pressure on the tobacco, it being desirable that the tobacco sheet should reach theroll 14 without any further compression than is necessarily exercised by the feeder in placing it upon the bed. y

The machine so far described may be driven in any desired manner. As shown, (see Fig. 5) the main shaft of the machine, marked 23, and `which runs across the machine from side to side, is provided with bevel gear 24 which meshes with 4a similar gear 25 on a countershaft 2G supported in a hanger 27 on the under side of the bed 1. This shaft 2G carries on its other end a gear. 28 meshing with a bevel gear 29 on a vertical shaft 30. This lshaft 30, as shown, is a two-part shaft, the parts of the shaft being connected by interlocking blocks 31, the purpose of this construction being to allow the entire feeding mechanism, including the upper part of the shaft 30, to be removed without disturbing the driving mechanism. The upper end of this shaft 30 is provided with a worm 32 which meshes with a worrn wheel 33 on the shaft; This shaft 6 is provided on the end opposite to that which carries the worm wheel with a broad faced gear 34 with which meshes a gear 35 mounted on the shaft22 and a gear 3G mounted on the cludes a forwarding roll .lt having pins 15 on its circum' is a driven pulley mounted ona shaft 48.

the belt 44 Ais supported on pulleys 49, 50, the pulleyy 50v being an idler mounted' on a stud 51, and the pulley 4.()v

4sha'ft 16. The shaft 30 further provided with aispiral gear 37 which meshes witha similar gear 38 on a cross shaft 39, this shaft having a lbelt pulley 40 thereon. Over this belt pulley 40 runs a belt 41, the belt passing also over a pulley 42 on the shaft 20 which isthe shaf which earries the picker roll.A

The separated tobacco ibers'drop from the separating mechanism which has just been described onto a carrier, the construction and arrangement of which may be considerably varied. In the best construction, the carrier will be a two part carrier. In the particular constructicm shown, the carrier is formed by two belts 43, 44, the belt 43 beingsupported on pulleys 45, 4G.

shown, the pulley 4G is an idler, being mounted on a stud 47 suitably secured to the frame, and the piilley 45 Similarly,

being a driven pulley and being mounted on a shaft 52. The shafts 4S and 52 maybe driven in any desired manner. As illustrated, these shafts 4S, 49 l are provided with gears, only one of which, marked 53 (see Fig. 6) is shown. This gear 5.3 is driven from a Worm 54 mounted 'on the shaft 39'before`referred to.V The construction illustrated provides for the continuous driving of the belts, and in the best constructions thebelts, whatever mechanism be employ. fordriving them, will be continuonsly driven.

l tions, a guide will be employed. While this guide may While the separated tobacco fibers may be directed from the'separating mechanism to the carrier just described in. any suitable manner, in the best construc- `side to side. The swinging of the guide may be effected in any desired manner. As shown, the guide 55 is pivotedto the curved guide 17 and is provided witha.

projection^5t$ 4which `is engaged by aconnecting rod 57 extending from an eccentric strap 58 surrounding an ecce11tric=59 on the vertical shaft 30. As the tobacco falls upon the carrier, the longer fibers are arranged loosely on the carrier and the ne tobacco or shorts,

as it is technically known, drops, toa very considerable extent,`through thespaces between the long fibers.k

The result of this is that the tobacco, as it lies on the conveyer, will' consist of two strata, the lowerstratum 4 consisting of fshorts and the upper-stratum ofy the longer fibered tobacco with'some shorts mixed therewith.`

lt is desirable that inthe formed cigarette filler, the longer fibers be arranged centrally ofthe cigarette, `the shorts being as far as possible on the outside of the.

filler. This desirable result may be effected by employing thetwo-part carrier before described and by causing the feeding runs of the carrier to move towards each other, thus assembling the tobacco on their surfaces bet-ween the abutting ends of the two-part carrier. The Width .of vthe carrier illustrated is substantially' equal to the length oft-he cigarette ller to-be formed,

and as the two parts ofthe carrier move ,toward each other, the twdsh'eets of tobacco which are `forwarded by 'reciprocated inany suitable manner, in the construction the carrier will becombined into a single sheet between the carrier,A the shorts lying on-both sides of the sheet, land the longer libers in the center, as will be clearly understood from an' inspection of Figs. 7 and 10.

ln the best constructions, a suitable controller and directing device Willv be employed for the sheet of tobacco which results from the combining of the sheets on the two part carrier. ln the construction illustrated, the directing means consists of a throat formed by a pair of pivoted' plates 6 0 which are held against the belts forming the parts of the carrier by springs 61.

The formation of the filler from the tobacco advanced and delivered bythe carrier' may be effectedby means which vary widely intheir construction. ln the particular construction shown, there is provided what may be termed a Shaper-case, this case, in the particular construction illustrated, comprising a block G2 which is supported by the bed plate l (sce Figs. 8, v9`and l0). This block supports a pair of Vplates G3, G4 which are recessedon their under side to provide a Shaper chamber- 65.` The bottom of this chamber is formed'by a plate 6G supported on bearers'67'which are. secured to the block 62 by screws, or in any other suitable manner. In the particular construction shownpthe opening imp the chamber of thge shapeir casing' is inthe top of the casing and is formed by spacing apart the plates 63, G4, the opening being marked 68. The shaper, inthe particular construction shown, is formed by a block G9 which reciprocates in the chamber'. While this block may be illustrated, 4it is secured by a screw 70 to the plate GG; this'plate being a reciprocating plate. The reciprocation ofthe plate 66 may be effected by any desired means. As shown, this plate is'provided on its under side with apairo'f lugs 7l between which is located a 1 0() block 72, this block being carried on a stud 73A which is mounted on a lever 74 pivoted at75 to the bed plate of the machine.. This lever is provided atits opposite end With a cam rollwhieh engages a. cam groove 76-in ay cam drum 77, this drum being mounted on the main shaft 23 before referred to. When, as in the particular machine illustrated, rapidity of operation is desired, the shaping -d'evice` will be constructed so as to form two llers for each completeA reciprocation of the 'shaper block. In the particular construction shown, the Shaper block is provided with two half-'round recesses one on each .side thereof, which cooperate with half `round recesses in blocks 78 located at the ends of `the .hshaper chamber. The opening 68 is located, as has b een before stated, iii the top of the Shaper chamber,.

and isin close proximitydto the lower end of the throat formed by the plate G0, the opening 68being substantiallyas long as the cigarette filler; to be shaped in the casing. The parts are so proportioned' that tbe sheet 'of tobacco formed 'by assemblingthe sheets lying on the 2O carrier belts 43, 44 will be readily fed through the throat and into the Shaper casing without 'anysubstantial compression of the tobacco sheet. This is'important for the reason that it insures that the tobacco reaches the Shaper casing in a loose or uncompressed eondition,` so that the i natural resiliency of tlie fibers which make up the tobacco sheet is not destroyedv by any substantial compressing action of the forwarding devices.

After' a charge has reached the chamber in the shaper' casing, it is cut ozrand, in the preferred construction,

sheets or streams of tobacco into a single sheet or this will he effected by the movement oi' the shaper. While this may be accomplished in any desired manner, a ready means for effecting it is to form the upper edge. of each side of the block 69 as a cutting edge, said edge cooperating with an edge formed on each of the plates (iii, (il. 'lhe ent 'formed will preferably be a 'shearing mit, and in` the Construction illustrated, this is acceuiplished by disposing the cutting edges on the. plates 33, (54 so that they will lie at an angle to the path of travel of the shaper. block which is other than a right angle. The cutting edge on the plate 63 is marked 79 and the cutting edge on the plate 64, S0, the angle at which these edges lie with respect to the path of Inovement of the shaper block being illustrated in Fig. 8.

\\'hen the shaper block has completed the shaping of a filler, the [iller is ejected from the chamber in the Shaper casing. The mechanism by which the ejecting of the completed filler from the Shaper casing is effected may be widely varied in its character. As shown, there is provided a pair. of ejecting plungers 8l, these plnngers being carried on arms 82 mounted on slides 83' )which reciprocate in ways formed in the bed l. In the particular construction shown, the reciprocation of the slides is effected hy means of toothed sectors 84 meshing with racks S5 formed-on the under side of the slides, these sectors being pivoted ou a har SG extending across the machine and being operated by connecting rods 87 extending from eccentric straps S8 which straps surround eccentrics 89 on the main shaft 23 before referred to. The eccenti'ics are, of course, arranged so as to time the movements of the plungers properly with relation to the movcmentsof the shaper block. These plungers 8l are guided througlr openings in projections 90 extending backward from the plate 62A The fillers are ejected through spouts or nozzles 91 which will be hereinafter referred to, these nozzles being held in position by sot screws 92 which abut against the blocks 78. Sleeve 93 having tapered openings therein, the sleeves being held in position by set screws 94 or in any other suitable manner, may be provided at the openings where the plungers enter the Shaper casing, the tapered openings in these sleeves providing for the ready discharge of tobacco dust or any foreign matter which may be drawn backward by the plungers.

In the operation of the mechanism so far described, it will he seen that the tobacco is deposited on the carrier in a disintegrated, loose or separated condition, that is to say, the fibers of the tobacco are not matted so as to form lumps or knots, but they liev loosely with respect to each other. Furthermore', it will be noted that when the tobacco is advanced by the two part carrier into the throat G0, there is no tendency to coinpress the tobacco'to any material extent, the operation of the two-part carrier merely asselnbling the two stream, the space between the parts of the carrier and the width of the throat being designed so as to readily accommodate the tobacco sheet formed by assembling the two sheets or streams carried by the parts of the carrier., 'lhis being the fact, it will be appreciated that the tobacco is introduced, in a loose or practically uncompressed condition, into the shaper case, so that the natural resiliency of the fibers which constitute the charge in the shaper case, has not been impaired to any extent. l

in operating the shaper block, the parts arelso timed as to give the volume of tobacco in the chamber of the shaper casing the required shape and compress it to the density required to form a proper cigarette ller. This compression, however, occupies but a very short space of time and is not maintained a sufficient time to I give the ch*L rge what may be termed a permanent set. Furthermore, the mechanism is so constructed that the pressure'on the charge in the casing is released' before the ejecting plungers operate. By these features 'of construction, it is possible to give the tobacco the density required for the proper burning of the cigarette and to shape it so as to enable it to be introduced into the tube, and todo this without destroying the natural resiliency of the tobacco fibers.

In the machine which has been selected to embody the invention the simplicity of the filler forming mechanism makes it possible to operate it at a high rate of speed, which rate of speed is higher than it is desirable to run a single mechanism for making the wrapper tube. l'n the best embodiment of the invention therefore, a plurality of tube or wrapper forming apparatus will be employed with the filler forming mechanism. In the construction shown, two such tube making apparatus are employed, though the number of these apparatus may, under some circumstances, be varied,- if desired. Furthermore, in the particular machine selected to illustrate the invention, the tubes will be provided with mouth-pieces before they are filled with tobacco, though it is obvious' that the mouth-piece forming and introducing mechanism might beomitted, if a different class of cigarettes is to be formed.

In the construction shown, the paper from which the cigarette tuhe is to be formed may be derived from any suitable source. As shown, see Fig. l, reels 95 are provided, these reels being supported on brackets 9G located on each side of the machine. When it is de? sired that the paper bear a printed or embossed mark, as is the case with many varieties of cigarettes, a suitable printing or embossing mechanism will be employed. Such printing mechanisms are indicated at 97, there being one on each side of the machine (see Fig. 2), but as such mechanism ymay be of any wellknown kind, and as the .specific features of it will in no way conduce to a clearer understanding of the present invention,- a specific description thereof will not he given. After being printed or embossed, the strip or web of paper is led to a mechanism which converts the stripinto a tube. This tn be forming mechanism may be widely varied in its construction. As shown, there is provided on each side of the machine a carrier block 98 (see Figs. 2, 3 and l5 to 19 inclusive), each of these carrier blocks serving to support a mandrel 99 around which the strip of paper is folded.

It may be here remarked that the tube forming and mouth piece inserting mechanisms are duplicates and a description of one of these mechanisms is, therefore, sufficient for both. A guide as indicated at 100 in Fig. 17, is provided to cooperate with the mandrel in forming the strip or web of paper into tubular shape this guide being internally tapered so as to, progressively effect the shaping of the strip.

In order to interlock the edges of the strip the mandrel may be provided with a seaming rib marked lOl (see Figs. 18 d: 19) and the interior of the guide with a i cooperating seamlng rib 102. For convenience in c0nstruction and to enable the parts torbe readily gotten at, the guide will'be made in two parts, one of the parts,

marked 103, carrying the seamiiig rib. It will be observed tha't the interior surface ofthe part 103 of the guide is curved and tapered so that when it is in posi` tion, the curve and tapercorresponds with the curve and taper of the bore ofthe remainder ofthe guide.l The part 1031s secured to the carrier 98 by screws 104, or in any other suitablel mannenfsTheAguide is slid into an opening in the carrier block which it fits snugly.

into position will'not only properly center it, but at thesame time, it willi-bring the .seaming rib'101 into proper relation `with its coperating rib.

A locking device is for may beV provided .for holding the parts inl their lassembled position.V In the constructions'hown, the locking'is effected by means'of a clamping screw108, the top 'of the lcarrier block being slotted so as to enable the screw to draw the parts together.

` By locating the seaming rib the interior of lthe guide-the papei` is under the controllof the mandrel andguide not only during thcshaping, but also during the folding operation by which the seam is formed, the

seaming and shaping progressing simultaneously. This will be apparent from an inspection of the diagrams, Figs. 20 to 25 inclusive, which show the formation of the tube and seam at successive stepsl inthev operation. Fig. 20 shows the paper after it has begun to assume its tubular form, in Figf21 the edges of the paper have been caused to approach nearer to each other, and in Fig. 22, the edges have beenrsli'ghtly overlapped and the bending of the edges by which th'e'interlocking seam is to be formed has been-begun. An inspection of Fig. 23 shows that the diameter of the tube has been reduced by avstill further overlapping of the edges of the paper, and at the `same timerthe bend in each edgeA of the paper has been increased. In Fig. 24,-the'overlapping of the edges has been increasedAand. at the same time the bends in the edges of the paper have been still further i'nterlocked. Fig. 25 shows the tube completely formed and the edges interlocked andready for the action ,of the pressing device which is employed to flatten down the interlolclied parts of the paper. This pressing device may be ofany usual description, but in the preferred form, it will consist of a pair of wheels,

one of which. marked 109, is journaled in the mandrel' andthe other of which, 110, is mounted on a short shaft 111 supportedfin a bearing carried on a bracket 112 extending upward from the frame. The wheel 110 is preferably a driven Wheel. The driving of this wheel may be .effected in. any desired manner. .is shown, the shaft 111 is provided with a spiral gea r 113 which meshes with a spiral gear 114 mounted en ashaft 1,15, 'one end ef which is supported in a bearing in the bracket 112 and the other end in a standard or bracket 11G rising from the frame. This shaft 115 is provided Ifv will be understood that in the particular machineshown there will be twoof these shafts, one on eachY side of the machine. ach of'the shafts 119i is also provided with a spiral gear 120 which drive the printmanner, but in the best constructions, the driving v ing mechanisms before referred to.4 The driving off these way shafts 119 may be effected in any desired mechanism for each of these shafts will be of such a f 123 (see Figs. 1, '2 and v21) .is provided with a gear 126'v which is driven by means of idle gears 127 from a gear 128 mounted Aon a shaft 129, this shaft being journalepd in a hanger 130 and inne of the legs/.of the machine.

Each shaft 129 is provided-with fast'and loose pulleys '0131, 1'32 and is driven by belts 133 from a shaft 134 which extends across and underneath .the bed of the machine., Belt' shifters 135 of ordinary construction are provided to shiftL cach belt from its fast to its loose pulley, as maybe desired. r

The shaft 134 may be drivenin any des'iredimanner. As shown, itis provided at one end with fasttnd loose pulleys 136, 1 37 which are driven by a belt 138, the

belt in turn, running around-"a pulley 139Ymontcd loosely on the main shaft 23, ,this pulley being fast toJ a power pulley 140 which is' driven in any suitable manner, as, -for instance, bybelt from the factory "line shaft. While the shaft 23 may be driven in any suitable way, as shown", the shaft 13 4 is provided on the endopposite to that which carries the pulleys 136, 137

with a Wide faced pulliey 141, 'this pulley serving to drive a belt 142 which in turn drives fast and vloose pulleys 143-, 144 on the shaft 23. Belt shifters 145,V 146 of usualconstruction are provided.

, With the driving mechanism described, it is apparent that by operating either of the belt shifters 135, the corresponding wrapper forming mechanism will be thrown out of operation. By operating the belt shifter 145, the entire machine may be'stopped and by opcr- I ating the belt shifter 146, the ina-inshaft 23 may be stopped, the 'stoppage of which effects a stoppage of the feeding and filler forming mechanism which, a'sV has-been described', are driven from thisvshaft.

The mouth piece inserting mechanism may be of `wind up the blank into a coil. Before the spindle completes its revolution, a transferring tube 143 slides anism,- marked 151. Vmechanism, the clutch mechanism andthe' winding shaft 149 carrying a gear 150 which is driven through a proper train of gearing from` the wayshaft 119 before referred to (see Fig. 13). Thestopping and starting of the winding spindle is controlled by a clutch mech- The construction of the driving spindle is substantially ,the same as that described in the Patent No. 721,087, dated Feb. 17, 1903, granted to The American Tobacco Company as the assignee of S. D. S. & S. S. D. Rakowitzky. Specific descrip- 4tion, therefore, of this part of the mechanism is not i necessary, reference being made to the above patent therefor. Theftransferring tube 148 is driven from a slide 152, this slide being connected by a link 153 (see Fig. 2)

' t0 a lever 154 which is operated by an eccentric and to the shaft 115 before referred to.

strap 155 mounted on -the shaft 129.l

After the mouth piece has entered the tube, the tube length is cut off by shears 156, these shears being carried on a sliding rod 157 which has a cam lug 158 lmouth piece and tube are retreating, the tube at this time being over the mouth piece transferring tube 148,

the insertion of the mouth piece is completed and the mouth piece and tube are stripped from the transferring tube by means of a dog 160 which is mounted and operated in substantially the same manner as the similar. dog in the construction in the Rakowitzky patent referred to. The assembled tube and mouth-.piece forming the 'completed wrapper are delivered onto a table 161 from which they pass under a re-rolling roll 162, the'formation and operation of this roll being substantially the same as the similar re-rolling roll described in said Rakowitzky patent. Y

It is desirable that the operation of the wrapper,

forming devices, whether there be one ora pluialityof such devices employed, be independent as far aspossible of the operation of the filler forming mechanism, so that a stoppage of one part of the machine will not necessarily require a stoppage of the other part-of the machine. The best constructions embodying the invention will accordingly include a magazine into which" the Wrapper forming mechanism ormechanisms deliver and from which the completed Wrappers are taken to have the fillers inserted therein. Furthermore, the Wrapper forming mechanisms ,.willin the best constructions, be caused to supply wrappers to the magazine Vsomewhat more rapidlythan they are required by the filler forming mechanism. This results in supplying the magazine with anexeess of wrappers,

so that incase it becomes necessary to throwV either of the wrapper forming mechanismsout of operation, the` filler forming mechanism may continueto run drawing its wrappers from the supply stored in the magazine. In the machine selected to illustrate the invention., as has been saidftwo wrapper forming mechanisms are employed, and in this construction, also-fthe magazine is so located that the wrapper forming mechanisms deliver thereto. lIn the specific machine referred to, the magazine runs across thefront the construction shown, the magazine is provided about centrally thereof with a depression 'or well 164' in its bot? tom into which the cigarette wrappers drop from the main part of the magazine.. This woll is of sufficient size to contain a considerable number of wrappers and devices, which may be widely varied in construction and are employed to separate a cigarette Wrapper from the number in thc'well, so that they may be dclivcred singly. ln the specific construction shown, there is provided a tilting plate 165, this platel being mounted on'a pin or axle 166 which is journalcd in opposite sides of the magazine or Well wall. ln the best constructions, this plate Will be formed with steps, as is clearly show-n in Fig. ll, and where, as in the machine selected to illustrate the invention, the filler forming mechanism operates in conjunction with a plurality of wrapper forming mechanisms, this plate will preferably be stepped on opposite sides, so as to provide for the discharge of'tubes from each side of the well. The edges of the bottom steps are spaced from the magazine wall a distance slightly greater than the diameter of a tube or wrapper, so that the'. tubes may readily fall down between the edges of the plate and the magazine wall. The width of the upper faces of these lower steps is preferably made a little greater than twice the diameter of thecigarette tubes, so that two. tubes may rest thereon and fall thereupon readily, this Width, however. not being sufficiently great to let a third tube fall partially down into the space between the outer tube and the magazine wall and thus wedge the tubes on the step. The steps above the lower step are preferably wide enough to easily hold three tubes Withoutwedging. In .the operation of this feeding mechanism, theplate supporting the Vcigarette, .tubes on its upper face is pref#l erably given a quick tilting movement. This tilting movement agitates the cigarette tubes in the magazine well and at the saine time facilitates the discharge of thebottom tubes. The tubes drop into a mechanism by'which they are brought into position to receive the provided at its forward end with a concave recess 160 of sufficient size to hold a tube or Wrapper andthe slide 168 is provided with a similar recess 170 (see Figs. 8, 9 and ll.) These slides", in the specific construction shown, are reciprocated alternately i by mechanism I A4which. may be of any suitable description. As shown, each of these slides 167, 168 is connected to an arm 171,

the connection being effected by a pin 172, or in any other suitable mannei. These arms 171 are in turn Vconnected to the slides 83 before referred to, these being prior constructions in which a similar. transferring sok ' tok .gates kmechanism was employed, the tubes passedy from a frcon- .enough to accommodate a row of a dozen cigarette tubes more or less. AThese tubes were horizontally arranged in the channels and the mechanism was il ended to feed them downward one by one as is the case with the present construction. The tubes, however, are. as' is.

well-known, formed ofj a very light papel' and the addilion of the Amouth-'piece to them causes them vto be .much heavier at one end than lthey are at the other lt has been found in practice, therefore, thatl when tubes are fed horizontally through any channels in the 1nan ner described, they tend to tilt, the heavier end descending first, and thus'become wedged in the channels. ly causing lhe delivery mechanism to run close to the bot- ,tom of the magazine the feeding through long channels,

17?., 1721 (see Fig. l1) are provided'. which reciprocate underneath the tilting plate 165 before referred to. ll'hese sliding gates (see Fig. v8) are provided with projections [priming guides which slide'in openings in a block 175; the gates being normally forced forwardby a spring 176 (see Fig. 8) located between them. slide 167 is provided with anca-m surlace 177 and the slide 16S with a similar cam surface, these cam surfaces cooperating with cam surfaces on the underside oi the As cach slide moves forward, its cam surface striltes the corresponding cam surface on the gate and 'slides the orate back againstthe tension of the spring,

9 thus opening it and permitting a tube vto drop from the `may be effected in any suitable manner, in the construction shown, themovementoi the cut-off. gates is utilized to effect themovement of the.plate.-\f1n the particular machine illustrated, this is accomplished by causing each of thegates on their forward movement to strike the bottom oi the plate, the bottom oiy the plate being .provided Jwith a projection 178 which lies in the path'of the gates.

I A As each transfeiringrslide carnes forward its tubc,

it positions it over the nozzle 91 which nozzles con stitute the delivery orifices lor thershaping chamber. The proper plunger 81 is then /operated to force the charge of tobacco from/thc shaping chamber into the tube, thel slide which has carried the ltube forward being at' this time retractedand the tube held upon the nozzle by means of a swinging stop arm 17 9, there being one of these arms, 'of conrse,-on each' side of the machine,l These arms 179 are pivoted on postsy 180, and each arm is operated by blocks 181, I182 carried on theslides 83 before referred to.` Each arm is thrown into position behind the cigarette tube being filled by means of the block 181 on a movement of the The " slide in one direction and is thrown out by the block l82'on the movement of the slide in the other direc! .,tion.` vThe movement produced by the block 182 is so timed that the arm`179 begins its backward movement at the' time thel end of'the charge of tobacco lying in the nozzle is -siihstan'tially in register with the end ofthe wrapper.tube overlying the nozzle. Thisoccurs before the plunger-8l has completed its movement, the continued movement of the plunger operating to force the tube off the nozzle and the to* bacco out of` the tube. The--movement of the arm4 179, however, under the influence olthe; block 182 is a more rapid movement than'the movement of the plunger because of the arc through which the arm swings. The arm,'therefore, gets completely out of kthe way of the end of the vfilled tube `at the time.tlie completed cigarette is pushed olf thenozzle'Sl by the plunger. 1

The completed cigarettes-may befdischarged in any suitable way. dropdown through chutes 183, 184 and are delivered to a suitable collecting mechanism. While th is collecting mechanism may be oi any suitable description, in

1n the particular machine shown, they the specific machine shown, it consists of two bells Q 185, 86 which may be driven in any desire-d manner.

As shown, these belts are driven through worm gear# ing 187 which is inturn driven by a belt 188 from the shaft 134 before referred to. While a single collecting belt might-be employed, the use of two belts is advantageous, vlor the reason thatd any defect in tle workmanship of the completed cigarettes appears, it is possible to tell immediately on which side ot' `the machine the defect has occurred and to stop that side ol` the machine to remedy the defect withoutl inter.- lering with the operation of the other side.

The improvements inthe tube forming mechanism and in the mechanism for inserting the mouth-pieces into the continuously advancing tube before the same is cutinto lengths are not herein claimed,these`im provements forming the subject-matter of a divisional application Ser. No. 292,900,[i1ed December 22, 1905. While' the concrete machine shown in the drawings and described herein illustrates an embodiment of. the invention in its preferred form, it is to be understood that changes and dvariations may be madev 'i said ma# chine without departing from the invention. .lt is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is n ot to be confinedV to the particular construction herein shown and described. lt is further to be understood -that certain features of the invention may be use-d independently of other features.

What is claimed is 1. The combination with a plurality of wrapper forming mechanisms, of a fillerorming mechanism, and means for assembling the wrappers produced by the several wrapper 1forming mechanism with fillers produced by the filler formingr mechanism.'substantially as described.

2. The combination with a plurality of wrapper tube forming mechanismsfof a filler forming mechanism, and means for causingr the llersproduced by the iiller forming mechanism to be incased in wrapper tubes produced by the tube forming mechanisms, substantially as described. A

3. The combination with a plurality' of Wrapper tube foi-ming mechanisms, of a tube lreservoir t'o which the forming mechanisms deliver, 'a fillerl forming mechanism,

a.tube feed for removing tubes from the reservoir, and

means for causing the fillers to be incased in the tubes,4

substantially as described. i

4. 'lhe combination with a plurality of wrapper tube forming mechanisms, of mouth-piece forming and inserting mechanism, a tube reservoir to which the assembled tubes and'mouth pieces are delivered, a tube-feed, and means for incasing iiller in the tubes, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a filler forming mechanism, of a tube forming mechanism; a tube magazine, and transferring lnechanism between the tube magazine and the filler forming mechanism, substantially as described.

6. The combination with filler forming mechanism, oftube forming mechanism, a magazine intermediate the filler forming mechanism and the tube forming mechanism, transferring mechanism between the magazine and the tube forming mechanism, and means for causing the tube forming mechanism to supply' tubes to the reservoir at a greater rate of speed than they are removed therefrom by the transferring mechanism, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a plurality of wrapper tube forming mechanisms, of a tube reservoir to which the tube forming mechanisms deliver, a driving mechanism common to the tube forming mechanisms, and means whereby any tube forming mechanism may be disconnectedfrom its driving mechanism without disconnecting the others, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a plurality of wrapper tube forming mechanisms, of a reservoir to which they deliver',

a tube feed, a filler length forming mechanism, driving mechanism for the tube forming mechanisms, said drivingI mechanism operating to cause the tube forming mechanisms to produce tubes more rapidly than the tubes are re- Ymoved by the tube feed, and vmeans whereby any tube forming mechanism" may be disconnected from the driving mechanism without disconnecting the others, substantially as described.

9. The combination 'with a plurality of wrapper tube 'foi-ming. mechanisms, of a tube reservoir to which the .tubes are delivered, driving mechanism for the tube forming mechanisms, filler formingmechanism, a driving means' Y terruptng the operation of the 'filler forming mechanism without interrupting the operation of the tube formingl mechanisms, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a fiber separating mechanism, of a movable carrier, a guide intermediate the separating mechanism and the carrier, and means for swinging the guide across the path of the carrier to evenly distribute tobacco thereon, substantially as described.

12.' '.lhe combination with a fiber separating mechanism, of a movable carrier, a channeled Aguide through which the tobacco passes onto the' carrier, and 'means for swng' ing the guide across the path of the carrier to evenly distribute thc tobacco thereon, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a ber separating mechanism, of a continuously moving carrier, a guide intermediate the separating mechanism and the carrier, and means for .swingingI the guide across the path of thevcarriei' to evenly the parts of the carrier, and means for causing the parts of the carrier to deliver into the throat, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a fiber separating mechanism. ol' a carrier comprising a pair of belts to the upper runs of which the tobacco is delivered from the separating mechanism, a delivery throat located between the belts, and means for giving the belts a movement, said means causing the upper runs of the belts to move toward each other, substantially as described.

17. '.l'he combination with a ber separating mechanism, of a t\vopart carrier, a guide between the separating mechanism and the carriel', means for swinging the guide across the path of movement of the carrier, a delivery throat located between the parts of the carrier, and means for causing the parts of the carrier to deliver into the throat, substantially as described. Y

1S. The combination with a fiber separating mechanism, 'of a carrier comprising a pair of belts-to the upper runs of which the tobacco is delivered from the separating mechanism, a guide between the separating mechanism and the carrier, means for swinging the guide across the path ot movement of the b elts, a delivery throat located between the belts, and means for giving the' belts a movement which causes the upper runs of the belts to move toward each other, substantially as described.

1f). The combination with fiber separating mechanism,

of a carrier comprising two continuously running belts,

the feeding runs of which move toward each other, and a delivery throat located-between the belts, substantially as described.

of a two-part carrier comprising a pair of continuously running belts, the feeding runs of which move toward each other, a delivery'throat located'betweenV the belts, a guide between the separating mechanism and the carrier, and means for swinging -the guide across the path of movement of the carrier,- substantially as described.

21. The combination with a ber separating mechanism, of a two-part carrier comprising a pair of'continuously running belts, the feeding runs of which-.movetoward each other, a delivery throat located betweeni the belts, a`

channeled guide' between the separating mechanism and the carrier, and' means for swinging the guide across the path of movement of the carrier, substantially as described. Y

22. The combination with a fiber separating mechanism, of a shaper cas'e, and means for introducing tobacco Vfiber thereinto 'in a sheet andv in a substantially uncompressed condition, a shaper working in .the ca se, and an ejecti'ng mechanism, substantially as described.

23. The 'combination with a liber separating mechanism, of aY shaper case, a shaper' operating therein, the' said .shaper case having an opening through one of its sides,

the opening being substantially equahin. lengthto the a sheet through the opening in a substantially uncompressed condition, andan ejecting mechanism, substantally :1s-described.

24. The combination with a shaper case, of a shaper having a plurality of operating faces, means for'reciprocating the' shaper in the 'case, continu0usly-operating means for feeding tobacco fiber into'the case, andan ejector mechanism, substantially as described. l

The combination with a shaper case having an opening in one of its sides, of a shaper having a plurality of working faces, means for reciprocating the shaper inthe case, a continuously operating carrier for the tobacco fiber, and an ejecting mechanism, substantially as described. v g

26. xThe combination witlra fiber separating mechanism, of a shaper case, means Whereby`tobaceo maybe introduced thereinto in a sheet in a' substantially uncompressed condition, a shaper working therein, tube supporting means, an ejector mechanism operating to transfer the shaped charge forward, and actuating means for the 'shaper, said means operating to cause the shaper to release the pressure on the shaped charge before the ejector mechanism operates, substantially as described.

2l). The combination with a fiber separating mechanism, L

release its pressure on the`shaped charge before the ejector mechanism operates, Substantialiyas described.

28. The combination with a ber separating mechanism,

.of a Shaper case, a Shaper working therein, said Shaper having a pair of operating faces, means for continuously feeding tobacco into the case in' a substantially uncom stantially as described.

pressed condition, tube supporting means, an ejector` mechanism,` and actuating means for the Shaper, said means causing the Shaper to release its pressure on the shaped charge before theejecto'r mechanism operates, Sub- 29. The combinationvvith a which tobacco is supplied in a loose condition, ofmeans for causing the upper runs of the, belts to move toward Veach other to gather the tobacco lying on the belts into a single stream, a Shaper case lying beneath the'belts land vhaving an opening in the top, a throat lying between the belts and registering with the opening in the Shaper case,

the'tobacco being fed'through the throat-and into `the Shaper case by the movement of the belts 'a Shaper working in the caSe,-charge ejecting mechanism, anda tube presenting mechanism, substantially as desc'ribed.

30. The combination with a pair of feeding belts to which tobacco is supplied in a loose condition, of means for causing the upper runs of the belts to move toward .each other to gather the tobaccov lying on the belts into -a the ejecting mechanism operates/and tube .presenting mechanism, substantially as described.

31. The combination witha pair of feeding belts, of to bacon. separating mechanism delivering onto the belts',

means for causing the upper runs of the .belts to move to ward each other to gather the tobaccolying on the belts into a single Stream, a Shaper cas'elying beneath the belts and having an opening in the t9p,'a` throat lying between the belts and registering with the opening in the Shaper case, the tobacco beingifed through the throat and into4 the Shaper case by the movement of the belts, a Shaper working in the case; charge eject'ing mechanism, and tube presenting mechanism, substantially as described.

32.."lhe combination with a pair of feeding belts, of tobacco Separating mechanism delivering onto the belts,

means for causing the upper runs of the belts to move toward each otherA to. gather the tobacco lying on the belts into a Single, stream, a Shaper case lying beneath the belts' and having an opening in the top, a throat lying between the belts and registering with 'the opening in the Shaper' case, the tobacco being fed through the throat and into the lShaper case by the movement of the belts, a shaperwork-V ing in the case, charge ejecting mechanism, actuating means for the Shaper, Said means operating to causethe Shaper to release its pressure on the shaped charge before th'e cjecting mechanism operates, and

tube presenting mechanism, Substantially as described.

33. The combination with a Shaper case having an opening in one of its sdes,'of a pair of continuously operating feeding belts, the feeding runs of which move to- 'ward each other, means located between the belts for de- -livering the tobacco into the Shaper case, said belts and delivery means operating -to deliver the .tobacco in a Sub- Stantially uncompressed condition, a shaperhaving two operating faces working' in the case, tube supportingy pair of feeding lbelts to 34. The combinationwith a Shaper case, of a Shaper working therein, Said shaperhaving a cutting edge, the

.shaper case having an opening in one of its sides subl stantially equal inlength to the Shaper, one of the edges ofthe said opening lying at an angle to the path of movemeutlofthe Shaper which is other than a right angle, and feeding means, wherebythe Shaper acts to cut oi the ,chnrgewith' a shearing cut, Substantially as described.

35. The combination with a Shaper case, of a Shaper working therein, Saidshaper having two operating faces and two cutting edges, the Shaper case having an opening which is substantially cqun'l in length to the operating faces of the Shaper, the edges of Said opening lying at angies' to the pathof movement of the Shaper which 'are other than right angles and tobacco feeding means where;`

` by the'shaper acts to cut ov charges with a shearing cut,

substantially ns described.

L he combination with a filling'mechanism, .a tube' magazine, a plate forming the bottom of the magazine and spaced from the magazine wall to provide for the discharge ofthe tubesymeans for tilting the plate, tube transferring mechanism, and means for causing Said mechanism to move closeV tothe. under side of the magazine to receive the tubes, Substantially as described.

37. The combination with a lilling mechanism, of a tube magazine, a stepped plate forming the bottom of the magazine, the plate being spaced from the magazine wall to provide for the dischargejot the tubes, means for tilting thc plate, and a tube transferring mechanism, Substantially as described.

` as; The "combination with a suing mechanismtf a tube magazine, a stepped plate located therein and Serving to support the tubes on its upper face, said plate having its lower steps spaced from the magazine wall a distance Sub stantially7 equal to the diameter of a tube and its other steps spaced from the wallla distance equal tothe Sum of the diameters of a plurality of tubes, means for tilting the plate, and a tube transferring mechanism, Substantially as described. Y

39. The combination with a filling mechanism, of a tube magazine, a plate forming the bottom of the magazine and spaced-from the magazinewall to provide for the discharge of .the tubes, means for tilting the plate, tube transferring mechanism, means for causing said'mechanism t6 `more close to the under side of the magazine to receive thetubes, and acut-i mechanism operating to separate the tubes' in the magazine from the tubes in the transferring mechanism, substantiallyas described. 40. The combination with a filling mechanism, of a tube magazine, a stepped plate forming the bottom of the magazine, the plate being spaced from the magazine wall `to provide for the' discharge of the tubes, means for tilting lth plate, a. tube transferring mechanism, and a cut-off mechanism operating to Separate the tubes in the magazine from the tubes in the transferring mechanism, Sub- Stantiallyas described..

41.- 'rhe combination with a ailing mechanism, of a tube magazine,'a stepped plate located therein and Serving to "Support the tubes on its upper face, Said plate vhaving its lower Stepsspacedffrom the magazine wall a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a tube and itsother -Steps spaced from the wall a distance-'equal to the Sum of the diameters-of a plurality of tubes, means for tilting the plate, 'a tube` transferring mechanism, and a cut off mech anism operating to Separate the' tubes in the magazine from the tubes inthe transferring mechanism, Substantially as described.

42. The combination with a iilling mechanism, of a tube I/nagazine, a tilting. plate forming the bottom of the magazine, lSaid plate being spaced from the magazine wall to vprovide for the discharge of the tubes, a cut-oft` mechauism, means whereby the cutoff mechanism tilts the plate, and tube transferring mechanism, substantially as v described.

43. The combination with a iilling mechanism, of a tube magazine, a pivoted stepped plate mounted therein, Said plate being spaced from the magazine wall for the dis charge of the tubes, a cut-oit` mechanism, means whereby 

